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H. CAMPBELL & H. N. LAND.

PLATFORM FOR TRACTION ENGINES.

Patented May 12, 1885.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD CAMPBELL AND HORATIO N. LAND, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO GAA'R, SCOTT & COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PLATFORM FOR TRACTION-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,722, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed April 9, 1885.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HOWARD CAMPBELL and HORATIO N. LAND, citizens of the United States, residing at Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvem cuts in Platforms for Traction-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of traction-engines in which a removable platform for the engineer or fireman is swung from the rear end of the boiler; and the object of the invention is to provide simple and effective devices for connecting such a platform to the boiler and relieving the occupantbf the platform from the shaking and jarring of the engine or concussions arising during the transportation ot the engine.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of devices, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then set forth in the claims.

In the drawing, the figure is a perspective view of a traction-engine boiler having my improved platform and suspension devices in position.

The reference-numeral 1 designates an ordinary boiler of a traction or other engine; 2 the door leading to the fire-box, and 3 is the ash-pit. At the rear of the boiler is located a horizontal platform, 4, designed for the reception of the engineer or fireman. This platform rests upon bars or rails 5, which project in an outward direction from the rear of the boiler, the front ends of said bars terminating in tenons or shanks 6, which enter apertured lugs or eyes 7 secured to the sides of the boiler. The bars or rails 5 are disposed in a strictly horizontal plane, and the footboard in consequence thereof also lies perfectly horizontal. It may be secured to the rails by clips, bolts, or other fastening devices, or simply rest upon the rails and be held in place by its own weight. The bars or rails 5 are made of a suitable length to obtain sufficient platform space beyond the boiler, and their rear ends terminate in eyes 8, which are designed for the reception and retention of diagonal suspension-rods or straps 9. The lower ends of these rods are hooked into the eyes 8, and from thence they extend in a diagonal direction toward the boiler, and are connected with the rear ends of a pair of springs, 10. The front ends of (No model.)

these springs carry hooks 11, which are made to engage with the apertured lugs or eyes 12, secured to the boiler-shell near the top thereof. The springs 10 may be made of a spiral or volute form, of a suitable size and strength to answer the proper requirements, and when made of metal their ends are shaped into eyes for the reception of the rods 9 and hooks 11. I may also resort to springs consisting of a suitable shell and indiarubber packing and movable end heads connected With the rods 9 and hooks 11, and inclosing a cushion or packing of india-rubber. In other words, it is my purpose to employ any desired form of spring which possesses the requisites of strength and elasticity.

It is obvious that by reason of the existence of a yielding connection between the platform and the boiler all jars or concussions of the engine are neutralized by the springs, and hence it follows that the occupant of the platform is not subjected to jars and vibrations, as would be the case if the springs were not employed. It is also evident that the special means for supporting and suspending the platform herein shown are both simple, durable, and effective, and that the various parts can be readily applied to any ordinary boiler, and removed therefrom with the same case and facility.

Having thus described our invention, what.

we claim is- 1. In a road or traction engine, the combination of the boiler, the platform, and its supporting-bars with the diagonal suspensionrods carrying springs, substantially as described.

2. In a road or traction engine, the combination, with the boiler having the upper and lower eyes, of the horizontal rails or bars fitted into the lower lugs, the platform supported directly upon said rails, and the diagonal suspension-rods carrying springs, and hooks engaging with the upper eyes on the boiler, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HOWARD CAMPBELL. HORATIO N. LAND. Witnesses:

W. J. Home, WM. W. GAAR. 

